Page 29 of Doctor Neighbor

Ooh, a neighbor, huh? Is she cute?

Focus, Aric. It's not like that. Just trying to be neighborly.

I genuinely mean that. If I can help, I want to. It would be un-neighborly to have a connection there and not at least look into it.

Sure, sure. "Neighborly." Alright, I might know a guy. Give me the cafe name or owner's info, and I'll see what I can dig up.

I hesitate for a moment. Is this crossing a line? But Cole seemed pretty stressed. Fuck it. It can't hurt anything. He may not be able to do anything, anyway.

Brewed Awakening. Owner's name is Cole Johnson.

Got it. I'll make some calls. No promises, but I'll let you know what I find out.

Thanks, man. I owe you one.

Oh, I'll remember that, Little Raymond. Maybe you can repay me by introducing me to this "neighbor" of yours.

In your dreams, cuz.

I pocket my phone, a mix of relief and anxiety swirling in my gut. I hope this doesn't backfire. The last thing I need is for Cole to think I'm overstepping. Again. But if it helps her out of this jam, maybe it'll be worth it.

5:13 pm

I storm into my attorney's office, my blood already boiling. My lawyer, Jake, sits behind his desk, his face a mask of professional calm. I wish I could borrow some of that composure right now.

"What's this bullshit?" I spit out, waving the papers he'd just handed me.

Jake leans back in his chair. "Lara's attorney sent over an offer to resolve the situation."

"Resolve?" I scoff. "This isn't a resolution. It's highway robbery!"

I scan the document again, my anger rising with each line. "She wants half the equity in the house? Are you fucking kidding me?"

Jake nods, his expression unchanging. "They had an appraisal done. The house is valued at $1.6 million."

"I know what it's worth," I snap. "I'm the one who built the damn thing!"

"Lara's asking for $475,000 as her fair share," Jake continues, his voice maddeningly calm.

I explode, unable to contain my fury any longer. "How can she think she's somehow entitled to almost half a million dollars because we were dating when I bought the fucking lot and started construction?!"

I'm on my feet now, pacing the office like a caged animal. "This is insane! The mortgage is in my name. I financed the whole thing. She didn't put a single cent into that house!"

Jake waits for me to finish my tirade before speaking. "I understand your frustration, Buster. But we need to approach this rationally."

"Rationally?" I laugh bitterly. "There's nothing rational about this situation, Jake. She's trying to rob me blind!”

I take a deep breath, trying to rein in my anger. Jake's patience only irritates me more, but I force myself to sit back down.

"Alright, Jake. Explain this to me like I'm five," I growl.

Jake leans forward, his hands clasped on the desk. "Here's the situation, Buster. When you put Lara's name on the deed, you gave her a legal claim to the property. Even though she didn't contribute financially, that deed gives her leverage."

I clench my jaw, feeling like an idiot. "So what? She can just extort money from me now?"

"It's not that simple," Jake says. "But she can use her position on the deed to claim ownership. This offer is her way of getting her name off the deed in exchange for money."

"This is insane," I mutter, rubbing my temples.

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